Aramazd Ghalamkaryan, Chairman of the Water Committee (WC), along with senior WC officials and partners from the Ministry of Environment, Yerevan Municipality, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), conducted an exposure visit to Japan from July 6 to 10. The Armenian delegation participated in a knowledge-exchange program titled "Armenia–Japan Partnership for Sustainable Lake Management and Urban Resilience."

The visit was organized by the ADB, funded by the Government of Japan, and supported on-site by the Infrastructure Development Institute of Japan. During the tour, the Armenian delegation studied Japan's best practices in water resources and system management, water infrastructure development, wastewater treatment, and sustainable lake conservation.

Throughout the visit, the delegation held meetings with representatives from Japanese sectoral government entities, local self-governing bodies, and specialized organizations.

At the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan, the Armenian delegation met with Vice-Minister Mr. Masaru Kojima. The meeting focused on public policies implemented in water resources management, water infrastructure development programs, as well as the systems and approaches utilized for river and watershed management.

At the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, a meeting was held with Ms. Masako Ogawa, Deputy Director General of the Global Environment Bureau. Discussions highlighted Japan’s policies and programs regarding the preservation of lakes and aquatic ecosystems, water quality improvement, pollution prevention, and sustainable environmental management.

During these engagements, Chairman Aramazd Ghalamkaryan and the Armenian delegation presented the priorities of Armenia's water sector reforms, water infrastructure development plans, as well as current challenges and upcoming projects related to Lake Sevan and Lake Yerevan.

The delegation's next stop was Shiga Prefecture, where they met with Vice-Governor Mr. Masaru Azuma. The discussions revolved around applied approaches in watershed management, water quality preservation, and environmental protection.

In Shiga, the Armenian delegation examined the conservation and management experience of Lake Biwa—Japan’s largest freshwater lake—including practical solutions aimed at protecting the lake's ecosystem and water quality, as well as water sampling and laboratory research capacities.

The interdepartmental Armenian delegation also visited:

• Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute, where scientific research, environmental monitoring, and data-driven management approaches were presented.
• MLIT's Lake Biwa River Office, where officials reviewed the Lake Biwa Comprehensive Development Project and discussed integrated water resources management mechanisms.
• Lake Biwa Museum, where the team explored environmental education, public awareness, citizen science, and community engagement initiatives.
• International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC), where integrated lake basin management approaches were discussed.

Field visits allowed the delegation to observe practical ecosystem protection programs for Lake Biwa, including weekly sampling methodologies conducted across 51 monitoring stations and the management of reed bed conservation areas, which play a crucial role in protecting habitats and breeding grounds for fish and other aquatic life. Special attention was also devoted to decentralized wastewater treatment plants used in rural and suburban areas.

Furthermore, the meetings covered opportunities to deepen professional cooperation between Armenia and Japan, foster knowledge sharing, utilize innovative technologies, and advance joint efforts toward sustainable water resource management.

During the visit, the Chairman of the Water Committee also held an informal meeting with Ms. Monika Simonyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Japan, learning about the Embassy's activities and working conditions. The Ambassador introduced Mr. Ghalamkaryan to members of the local Armenian community.

Studying Japan's leading experience, efficient management mechanisms, and innovative solutions carries significant value for the development of Armenia's water sector, as well as the efficient use and sustainable management of its water resources.